Citroën C3 reaches 20 with Aircross and 6 years to pay – 07/05/2023 – Eduardo Sodré

The launch of the new Aircross SUV coincides with the 20 years of production and sales of the C3 in Brazil. The model arrived on the national market in May 2003, the year in which the automotive sector began a ten-year cycle of continuous growth in the country.

The compact car made in Porto Real (RJ) started at R$32,350, a price that did not include air conditioning. Optional item in the GLX option, it was offered for R$ 2,200.

Those were other times and another Citroën. The brand, always proud to represent innovation and creativity in the automotive sector, also wanted to be premium in Brazil. This proposal, however, referred to the beginning of imports and was not consistent with the products offered in the early 2000s.

The C3 represented a change in strategy, inserting the French brand into the most disputed segment at the time, that of compact hatches. For not having option 1.0, it competed among the most expensive and equipped options.

When the second generation was launched in 2012, the market was beginning to experience problems. Soon after, the successive years of bonanza would be replaced by high default rates, credit restrictions and an economic crisis.

The price of the then new C3 started at R$ 40,000 in the Origine 1.5 flex version (93 hp). The market no longer accepted cars without air conditioning in this price range, and the equipment became a standard item.

The current generation, once again, represents Citroën’s change of strategy, which today is part of the Stellantis group.

There are still glimpses of innovation in its products, but the proposal is more rational. The 2023 C3 epitomizes that transformation, much like the new Aircross.

The third generation of the compact is more spacious than the previous ones, however, it lost differentials such as the velvety upholstery of the first generation and the panoramic Zenith windshield of the second.

The cheapest version (R$ 73,000) has a 1.0 flex engine from Fiat. The main standard items are air conditioning and power steering.

The initial price is practically double what was charged ten years ago – and it is worth mentioning that this is one of the lowest-priced zero-kilometer models sold in Brazil today.

To boost retail sales, Citroën launched a financing campaign in 72 installments.

The buyer gives 40% of the value upon purchase and divides the rest into installments of R$ 999. Roughly speaking, the down payment is equivalent to what will be paid in interest. It doesn’t seem like a good deal, just like most credit options in times of Selic rate at 13.75%.

With launch scheduled for the second half, sales of the new C3 Aircross should have better conditions. Its starting price is estimated at R$ 100,000, a competitive value in the compact SUV segment.

The new model stands out for its internal space, with the possibility of having seven seats. The five-seat versions will have a trunk capacity of 489 liters.

The main engine of the line will be the 1.0 turbo flex that already equips Fiat models. Other Aircross novelties will be the colored digital panel and side airbags.

PRESENT LINK: Did you like this text? Subscriber can release five free hits of any link per day. Just click the blue F below.